Cyrenius H. Booth:

 The Good Doctor Behind The Familiar Name

By Jan Howard

Cyrenius H. Booth is a well-known name in Newtown. It is the name of the local library, which was constructed in 1932 with funds bequeathed to the town by its benefactress, Mary Elizabeth Hawley, and named in memory of her grandfather.

Cyrenius Hard Booth, MD, was one of Newtown’s well-known doctors during the middle 19th century. He was born in Newtown on May 25, 1797, a son of Philo and Aurelia Hard Booth, who married in Newtown on January 4, 1795. He had two brothers, Charles B. Booth, who was baptized in 1800, and John C. Booth, born June 13, 1808. His father, Philo Booth, was a prosperous farmer in Newtown.

Dr Booth studied medicine with Dr Bennett Perry of Newtown. Dr Perry, who had studied medicine with his father, located his practice in Newtown, where he practiced until his death in 1821. His home was what was known in later years as Dick’s Hotel, now the site of the library named in memory of his former medical student.

In training with Dr Perry, Dr Booth continued the tradition that had been in practice since the colonial period, that of one doctor learning from another. However, before beginning his practice, Dr Booth also attended a long course of medical lectures delivered by the celebrated Dr Hosack of New York, who at that time stood at the head of his profession in North America.

Dr Booth began his practice in Newtown in 1820. During that year he built the house later occupied by his granddaughter, now known as The Inn at Newtown. He ran his medical practice out of that house until his death.

On October 1, 1820, he married Sarah Edmond, daughter of Judge William and Elizabeth Payne Edmond, who was born on June 24, 1800. They had three children, William Edmond, Mary E., and Sarah A.

William, born in 1821, graduated from Yale and at a very early age began the practice of medicine in Danbury, where he died unmarried on February 19, 1859 at the age of 37. Mary, born June 24, 1825, married Henry Sanford on November 9, 1845, and resided in Newtown, where she died. She was the mother of two daughters, Annie E. Sanford and Sarah E. Sanford. Sarah, born August 7, 1830, married Marcus C. Hawley on October 1, 1856, and died in Newtown. She was the mother of four, three sons who died young, and Mary Elizabeth Hawley.

From Newtown, Dr Booth extended his medical practice over the surrounding country and into neighboring towns. His practice became one of the largest in the region, and he gained a reputation as a most successful physician. He continued in the active work of his profession for more than a half century, retiring only a few years prior to his death.

During that half century, he was a familiar figure, riding over the hills and along the valleys in answer to the needs of his patients, his saddlebags filled with pills and other items necessary to his profession.

The Cyrenius H. Booth Library is in possession of some of his medical books. They are shelved in a Chippendale desk on the second floor, near the elevator. Some of the books are Bache’s Chemistry, Pathiological Anatomy, Wood’s Practice of Medicine, Bard’s Midwifery, Good’s Study of Medicine, Diseases of Females, and Fordyce on Fever.

The library also has some of his dental tools. Doctors in the 19th century did everything, it appears, including dentistry. Traveling candlesticks used by Dr Booth as well as mortars and pestles used by him are also in the library collection.

Ezra L. Johnson, in his history of Newtown, termed Dr Booth “a doctor of the old school.” He remembered Dr Booth “as a man of infinite mirth and a famous storyteller and a great favorite with children and young people.”

The Cyrenius H. Booth Library is in possession of three bills showing the rates Dr Booth charged for treatment. One, dated November 27, 1820, is to Ammon Prindle for 18 visits, attendance, medicine, and directions, for $14. Another, dated the same day, for Polly Ann Prindle, was for $10 for 23 visits. A third was also for $10.

Dr Booth was said to be a man of unusual personality, who quickly made friends and retained them. He was described as having a broad and tolerant outlook, cheerful disposition, and deep sympathy, which won the love and esteem of others. He was described as a respected and esteemed citizen in Newtown.

He was often asked to accept public office, but he had steadfastly declined all such offers, preferring to devote his entire attention to his profession. He did become a trustee of the Newtown Savings Bank, serving from October 20, 1860, to October 21, 1861, and from October 22, 1864, to 1866.

Dr Booth was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He died on September 29, 1871, in Newtown.

One of his friends was quoted as saying that among men he knew who were renowned for their talents, wit, and humor, he was unable to recall one who was the doctor’s equal.

(Information for this story was researched in History of Fairfield County, Volume 3 by Wilson; The Genealogy of The Booth Family compiled by Donald L. Jacobus; Ezra Levan Johnson’s Newtown 1705 – 1918; Mary Elizabeth Hawley by Daniel Cruson; and Fairfield County CT Commemorative Biographical Record.)